Look how far we’ve come.

Sunday, August 19, 2001

Look how far we’ve come. A little more than three weeks ago, Ohio University Southern Campus announced it was beginning a women’s basketball team.

In that short time from then to now, first-year head coach Beth Rist has put together a 12-man roster and may expand.

"Three weeks ago we didn’t have anybody," Rist said after Saturday’s practice."Now we have 12 players and there are three or four more prospects. There’s been a lot of interest."

Of course, just having players doesn’t guarantee success. But Rist said that the players have blended and messed together very well in a short time.

"This was only our fourth practice, but the girls can pretty much tell whatever each other is doing. They’ve really been working hard. They’re dedicated. They have school and work and they’re not getting anything to play, so that says a lot for them and their character," Rist said.

Some of the players on the OUSC roster are Ironton’s Cheryl Hill, a 5-foot-3 guard, Huntington’s Hannah Hawkins and Nicci Downey, and former Rock Hill standout Peggy Fuller.

Fuller, the former Peggy Justice, was a member of the 1982 Ohio Valley Conference championship team. She played high school ball against Rist.

Fuller will serve as player and assistant coach.

"I heard about it through Dr. (Charles) Jarrett in class and since then I was dead set on playing. I just love to play," Fuller said.

Hawkins and Downey were members of Huntington’s 2000 state championship team. Hawkins originally signed with UNC-Wilmington. Downey inked with Salem International University.